“TYCONIST” is the debut solo album of TAKUYA. Self-described as a Singer Song Japanese Drummer (SSJD), TAKUYA is a unique musician who combines his talents as a Japanese Taico player and singer. This fusion of musical skills has earned him national and international acclaim, having recently found a second home in Munich, Germany since 2011. Since this time, he has formed the “World Percussion Ensemble,” an international group including percussionists from Brazil and Africa, in addition to his “Drumaturgia,” a duo with a German percussionist, where he deploys his electronic Japanese Taico technique. He has also recently released an album entitled “YUJOU” (“Friendship”) with German avant-garde pianist, Walter Lang. TAKUYA speaks of Lang as “someone who gave me an opportunity to think myself to be a professional musician.” Needless to say, TAKUYA is a player who is actively exploring new forms of expression with the traditional percussion style embodied by Japanese Taico.

Originally, Japanese Taico was a rarity for Japanese listeners, limited to Shinto or Buddhist affiliated Bon festival dances. However, the style has slowly risen to popularity since the 1970s. Thanks to groups such as ONDEKOZA, formed in Sado Island in 1971, and subsequently KODO, comprised of some originating members of ONDEKOZA and formed in 1981, Japanese Taico became a popular style heard throughout Japan. Through their efforts as solo artists, Eitetsu Hayashi (founding member of ONDEKOZA and KODO) and Leonard Eto (member of KODO) have proven to influence listeners and musicians alike, furthering the popularity of the traditional style. Now 31 years of age, TAKUYA has had the fortune to have learned from and studied with these pioneering artists, in addition to training under the acclaimed group, EITETSU FU-UN no KAI. Heralded as a shining beacon in the next generation of Japanese Taico musicians, TAKUYA reveals his expertise and maturity in his solo debut album, “TYCONIST.”

The musical foundation of “TYCONIST” is most evidently TENRYU-DAIKO, the traditional Taico style of his hometown EIHENJI-CHO (formerly MATSUOKA-CHO), YOSHIDA-GUN, FUKUI. TENRYU-DAIKO is said to have been inspired by a dream had by Masakatsu Matsudaira, a Japanese daimyo from the Edo period (ca. 300 years ago) in the Fukui Domain. In this dream, a dragon danced to the sound of drumming. From then on to the present day, this style is played in the summer GOZOU festival for the purpose of prayer, for health and prosperity for the town. At only 3 years of age, TAKUYA started to play in the TENRYU-DAIKO, perfecting the style for the following 10 years. This experience earned TAKUYA the opportunity to join EITETSU FU-UN no KAI, a decision that allowed him to become professional Japanese Taico player. TAKUYA describes his experience with EITETSU HAYASHI as having “learned a lot from him, of course in terms of musical expression, but also as a performer, persistency to sound, the way to deal with the instrument, how to act on stage, etc.”

However, TAKUYA’s musical education was not limited to Japanese Taico, with the artist claiming his avid interest in Japanese pop music, as well as western pop artists including Queen, Rod Stewart, Chicago, Buddy Rich, and Steve Gadd. In particular, Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody” proved particularly influential during his grade-school years. These influences became evident in his playing after his time with EITETSU FU-UN no KAI, when he had the freedom to experiment with different musical styles and musicians. During this period, TAKUYA was fortunate to encounter YUKIHIRO ISSO, a bond that has proven to be particularly important for his evolution as a musician. As a NOKAN player, ISSO also has a history of playing traditional styles, such as Noh and Kabuki, as well as a shared interest in non-traditional styles, experimenting with the fusion of Japanese traditional music with rock, jazz, and others. In fact, it is through this affiliation that TAKUYA first met bassist MITSURU NASUNO, guitarist, NATSUKI KIDO, and violinist, AKIHISA TSUBOY, all musicians to appear on “TYCONIST”.

Due to his careful attention to detail and deep knowledge of many styles of music–not to mention his completeness as a musician (accomplished composer, arranger, keyboardist, producer)–it should be no surprise that TAKUYA has chosen HOPPY KAMIYAMA to produce this album. Highlights of HOPPY’s career include his role as Music Director of original dance piece “KAGUYA”, produced by The Japanese Classical Dance Association and original music compositions for western instruments associated with Japanese instruments, including Shamisen, Shakuhachi, Taico, and Nokan. Attracted to the Hachijo-Daiko style, HOPPY was drawn to and now lives on Hachijo Island, where he works and practices the ancient local Taico style. With “TYCONIST”, TAKUYA said “I want to make a previously unheard Japanese Taico CD.” Given HOPPY’s fascination with traditional Taico music and non-traditional music, it is clear that TAKUYA has chosen the most appropriate producer/arranger for this exciting new album. Speaking of the opportunity, HOPPY wanted “to form new musical environments than previous collaborations between traditional Japanese musicians and those in the Rock and Jazz idioms. Of course, it is necessary to use TAKUYA’s skill and character as a Japanese Taico player to the fullest extent, but he must surpass this hurdle from the start. To differentiate himself from others in the field, not after a series of albums, I think it is necessary to make great strides. My strategy is to throw new things at him, things he’s never experienced.”